By Staff Reporter

In a heartfelt ceremony at the West Virginia State Capitol on Wednesday, West Virginia Coal Association President Chris Hamilton delivered a stirring tribute to the state’s coal miners—past, present, and future. Speaking before miners, families, state officials, and community leaders, Hamilton reflected on the deep cultural, economic, and patriotic legacy of West Virginia’s mining workforce. His remarks blended personal history, gratitude, and a forceful defense of the industry’s importance to America’s rise and continued prosperity.

PULLED QUOTE

“No other industry—and no other workforce—has done as much for America’s strength, its prosperity, and its standard of living. And here in West Virginia, we are blessed with the best of the best.”
— Chris Hamilton

INTRODUCTION

Good afternoon. It’s an honor to stand here at our State Capitol on a day set aside to recognize the menand women whose work has powered this country for generations. West Virginia’s coal miners are more than workers—they’re the heart and soul of our great state -- and the reason America rose to become the most prosperous, secure nation on earth. Today, we pause to remember their sacrifices, celebrate their achievements, and reaffirm the deep respect West Virginia holds for every miner and every mining family.

REMARKS

Secretary Warner, thank you for your thoughtful and energizing remarks, and my thanks as well to CEO Amanda Hale for organizing such a meaningful ceremony. Mr. Secretary, you and President Smith captured essence of coal mining very well and a special shout out for your support for our great industry. Your words, and the prayer we heard earlier, will carry us far into the future.

Today is many things at once—a day to mourn, a day to rejoice, a day to celebrate. It is a day to reflecton the long arc of our mining heritage and to honor the men and women who built it. We gather to salute those who have served and those who will serve, because coal mining is not just an industry; it is a calling rooted in service, sacrifice, and pride. And it continues to mean so much to our state.

There has always been a strong parallel between serving one’s country and serving in the coalfields. Both demand strong leadership, superior preparation, discipline, and dedication. Both depend on teams of people working toward a shared mission. And both require a deep reservoir of honor.

When you look at the contributions coal miners have made to this state, this nation, and the world, thereis no comparison. No other industry—and no other workforce—has done as much for America’s strength, its infrastructure, its prosperity, and its standard of living. And here in West Virginia, we are blessed with the best of the best.

Our miners embody integrity, honesty, and quiet excellence. They work with advanced technologies that attract visitors from around the world—people who come here to see how West Virginians mine coal better, more efficient, safer, and more responsibly than anyone else. And our miners don’t march around talking about it. They simply report for work each day with pride, professionalism, and humility.

When you think about our miners—and their families—you’re thinking about the heartbeat of West Virginia. These men and women aren’t just miners. Away from the mine, they are pastors, deacons, little league coaches, volunteer fireman and EMTs. They are the invisible fabric holding so many of our communities together.

I want to mention someone whose legacy is part of why we’re gathered today: Stephen Lipscomb who embodied the traits of a true West Virginia miner—faithful, steady, honorable. A devoted family man who served in mine rescue and as an EMT, he was as at home underground as he was around his own dinner table. Miners like Steve don’t hesitate when someone is in trouble. As safety instructors, we’re trained to say, “Take care of yourself first.” But that’s not how miners operate. They run toward the fire, toward the danger, toward the person calling for help. That is who they are..

There is no group of people I hold in higher regard than West Virginia’s coal miners. Their wives are also part of our mining families and state fabric.  They serve as nurses, teachers, caregivers, Sunday school teachers and community volunteers—who share equally in the calling, the sacrifice, and the pride.

Miners share a bond unlike any other. They spend more waking hours with their crews than with their families, and that forges loyalty, trust, and love that is difficult to describe. They are goal-oriented professionals who take enormous pride in doing difficult, essential work. Don’t tell them their skills are outdated. Don’t tell them their work is unnecessary. There is nothing more honorable—nothing more vital—than what they do.

Think about what their labor makes possible:
• Thermal coal, generating the electricity that powers our homes, businesses, and industries.
• Metallurgical coal, building the steel that forms the backbone of our infrastructure.

No other workforce in America has contributed more to the country’s rise as a superpower—or to the development of the world’s strongest middle class. Our high quality of life exists because generations of miners provided abundant, affordable, reliable energy.

About twenty years ago, I had the privilege of helping commission the coal miner statue just outside on the north side of the Capitol. Working with the sculptor, Burl Jones, we wanted the monument to honor those who lost their lives, those who serve today, and those who will carry this legacy forward. A monument to our past, present, and future.

On the front of that statue is an inscription that captures the essence of what we honor today. I’d like to close with it:

“In honor and in recognition of the men and women who have devoted a career—some a lifetime—toward providing the state, nation, and world with low-cost, reliable household and industrial power.
Let it be said that coal is the fuel that helped build the greatest country on earth, has protected and preserved our freedoms, and has enhanced our quality of life.
God bless the West Virginia coal miner.”

Thank you for your time today. Thank you for your service to this great state. And may God bless every West Virginia coal miner and every mining family.